Researchers from the Nantes University Hospital Center have developed a promising DNA vaccine against HIV. The same technique made it possible to create another serum effective against liver cancer.
- New DNA vaccines have been tested on HIV and liver cancer.
- They rely on a new vector, capable of better directing DNA into cells.
- Both vaccines have been shown to be effective in animal trials.
Research into an HIV vaccine is progressing. At the Nantes University Hospital, scientists from the Immunology and new concepts in immunotherapy laboratory are working on an improved DNA vaccine. The first tests, carried out on animals, are promising. The technique has also been proven to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the deadliest cancers, in animal models.
HIV and liver cancer: what is a DNA vaccine?
This form of vaccine was publicized during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Nucleic acid vaccines consist of making the body produce an antigen that we want to protect.explains Bruno Pitardet, director of this new study, in a communicated. Then, the body synthesizes this antigen, which results in the production of antibodies. For all this to work, the researcher adds that it is necessary “stimulate the innate immune response“, or the activation of warning signals which will trigger the immune response.
DNA vaccine against HIV: what are the recent innovations?
In their trial, scientists from Nantes University Hospital managed to stimulate this immune reaction because they managed to better direct the DNA of the vaccine. “Many DNA vaccines were designed like RNA vaccinesdevelops Bruno Pitard. Entry into the cell was by endocytosis, that is to say by folding of the cell membrane on itself: it is in the bubble thus created (the endosome) that the proteins which recognize the cell are found. intrusion of RNA and trigger the immune reaction. But we discovered that those which detect foreign DNA are found in the cytoplasm, or inside the cell.“For this reason, DNA vaccines remained ineffective. This time, they designed a new vector, called 704,”made up of molecules that carry positive charges, and small enough to slip through the membrane and enter the cell without triggering endocytosis..
Promising results of DNA vaccine in preventing HIV and liver cancer
In a trial on mice, the use of this advanced DNA vaccine showed positive results. “The introduction of this vector and the appropriate DNA sequence triggered an immune reaction and produced antibodies that prevent the interaction between HIV and the CD4 protein of lymphocyte immune cells, with the same efficiency as in humans who synthesize broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies that manage to cure the disease on their own”observe the authors.
The 704 vector also shows promise in the prevention of carcinoma. After initial tests on mice, tests on macaques, with the same immunological profile as patients suffering from this cancer, showed its effectiveness. “Thanks to the 704 vector, we manage to trigger a very strong innate immune response.”, they observe. For the authors, the next step will be to test the safety of the HIV DNA vaccine in macaques. If the results are still positive, scientists could attempt an injection in humans as early as 2024.”But above all, this solution, very adaptable and easy to produce, can be used in the context of any infectious disease, or other pathology, by mobilizing the immune system.they conclude.
